Lexington Mass Transit Undergoes Significant Changes For The New Fiscal Year
In the heart of Lexington, Kentucky, the gears of progress are ever turning, particularly in regards to public transportation. Lexington’s mass transit system, under the guidance of LexTran General Manager Fred Combs, is looking at a significant change in service delivery as part of their $35 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Micro-Transit: The Future of Lexington’s Transport
A pivotal change under discussion is the establishment of a micro-transit system. This innovative service would involve vehicles specifically designated to provide trips within a defined area, however, it won’t cater to crosstown journeys.
Fred Combs explained the micro-transit model, stating, “If you were going from Palamar to the Senior Center on Life Lane, micro-transit can’t get you all the way there. What it can do is feed you into the fixed route system and you could take LexTran fixed route service to complete your trip.”
Preparing For The Challenges Ahead
Despite the hopeful prospects, challenges lie ahead. According to Combs, bus trip numbers have seen a positive bump, rising 8% over the previous year. While this signals progress toward pre-COVID figures, factors like pending contract negotiations and healthcare coverage are set to raise costs, presenting significant obstacles.
Infrastructure Developments
Progress is also visible in infrastructure improvements. The transit center renovation project is currently out to bid, marking an important step towards enhancing public transportation services. Furthermore, attempts are being made to reduce delays in the para-transit “Wheels” program, which is showing signs of improvement.
“We’ve made progress. We are not where we need to be. However, I think we are on the right path. We’ve consistently been between 70 and 80% on-time performance. My expectation is before the end of the year we are between 80 and 90% on-time performance. Hopefully, by the time I’m here before you next year we will have capped 90%,” said Combs.
Green Initiatives
LexTran is not only making strides in service delivery but is also focusing on sustainability. Seven buses are on order and the ultimate goal is to have the entire fleet composed of compressed natural gas or electric vehicles. Additionally, LexTran is installing solar panels at some bus stops to enhance security.
The overall budget for LexTran was given initial approval by the Council, marking the start of an ambitious round of enhancements for Lexington’s public transport. As the city continues to develop, its mass transit system promises to keep pace, providing efficient and sustainable transport solutions to the local community.
